Alaska wildlife agents are permitted to resume aerial hunting of black and brown bears, including from helicopters, to aid the recovery of the Mulchatna caribou herd, a judge ruled Wednesday. Superior Court Judge Adolf Zeman dismissed a challenge by the Alaska Wildlife Alliance and Center for Biological Diversity, finding no reasonable basis to halt the program. This ruling comes as the Mulchatna herd, which has significantly declined from its peak and is currently unable to support hunting, faces its calving season, a vulnerable period for young caribou. State officials view bear removal as crucial for herd recovery, citing a positive response since the program began in 2023, while conservation groups question its scientific efficacy and the state's data on bear populations.